Physiotherapy Modalities

Cryotherapy

Ice may be used in both the immediate treatment of soft tissue injuries (strains, sprains, bruising) and in later rehabilitation. Injury causes bleeding into the underlying tissues which in turn causes swelling, pain and a delay in healing. Using ice will help prevent the area from becoming stiff by reducing excess tissue fluid that gathers as a result of injury and inflammation. It will also help to reduce muscle spasm and pain. It is important to cover the skin with a cloth prior to applying ice.

Using ice during the rehabilitation phase of recovery can help reduce the pain of rehab exercise and help make movement around the injury more comfortable.

Heat Therapy

Do not use heat on a new injury as this will cause the blood vessels to dilate, bringing increased blood flow to the area, making the problem worse. Heat applied to the skin should be warm, not hot. If heat is applied there is a risk of burns and scalds and the skin must be checked at regular intervals.
When an injury is older than 48 hours, heat can be applied in the form of heat pads, deep heat cream, or hot water bottles. Heat has a soothing effect, helping to relieve pain and muscle spasm.

 Ice often gives better and longer-lasting effect on the circulation than heat provides. The painkilling properties of ice are also deeper and longer-lasting than heat.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound can be used on a number of soft tissue injuries to reduce the healing time, reduce pain and muscle spasm and promote the healing process. As the ultrasound waves pass from the treatment head into the skin they cause the vibration of the surrounding tissues, particularly those containing collagen. This increased vibration leads to the production of heat within the tissue. This increase in temperature may cause an increase in the extensibility of structures such as ligaments, tendons, scar tissue and fibrous joint capsules. In most cases this cannot be felt by the patient themselves.

TENS

The TENS machine works by stimulating your body's own natural defences against pain. When TENS signals enter the nerves, they travel both ways, up to the spinal cord and down to where the nerves start in the bodily tissue in the painful area.  These impulses collide with upcoming pain impulses and knock them out, reducing the total pain getting through.

The Tens Machine transmits gentle, electrical impulses through your skin via electrode pads positioned on or around the painful area. These gentle impulses stimulate the release of endorphins; the body’s own pain-relieving hormones and also stimulate the nerves to block pain signals before they reach the brain.